Here For The Cake - Jennifer Millikin

Book Synopsis: A spicy, sassy, and swoony fake dating romantic comedy from Amazon Charts bestselling author Jennifer Millikin.

A week on an island sounds like the stuff of beach dreams, but for Paisley Royce, it's a nightmare. Her little sister is marrying her ex-college sweetheart, and Paisley is serving as maid of honor. To add insult to injury, nobody will let Paisley forget she’s single.

Bachelorette weekend changes everything when she runs into her old college frenemy, Klein Madigan.

Klein is still intelligent and funny, and somehow time has only made him more attractive.

Paisley is Klein’s ‘one that got away’, not that he’d ever admit it to her. A colossal misstep (and one terrible kiss) in college sealed their fate.

Or so they thought.

Klein’s an aspiring author allergic to social media. Paisley owns a digital marketing agency.

A brilliant plan is hatched: A trip across the country for a week of faking out her family in exchange for her firm marketing his work.

One hastily scrawled and signed contract on a bar napkin later, Paisley and Klein embark on a journey of tension, only one bed, and fake dating shenanigans.

Paisley’s goal is to survive the week.

Klein’s plan is to enjoy the sun, sand, and wedding cake.

But then there’s a scorching kiss to make up for that bad one in college.

And another kiss in a lighthouse during a thunderstorm. A gentle palm on Paisley’s lower back, and a reassuring hand squeeze under the table.

Everyone is convinced Klein and Paisley are the real deal, but as the week wears on, they begin to wonder if the only people they’re kidding are themselves.

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Beautifully written. I don't even know how to start this review, at first I wanted to DNF because I wasn't feeling the story, however, I was quickly humbled. The more I read, the more invested in the plot I became. I loved this book so much! I admit that I dragged my feet on reading this one, but once I got past my initial ick of her sister, this author really surprised me. This was my first time reading a book by her and I'm so glad to say that it was this one.

If you know anything about me, you'll know that I really am a sucker for the fake dating trope. I eat that stuff up! Paisley and Klein are one of my new favorite fictional couples. I love that there was no third act breakup and that he surprised her in so many ways. I felt the chemistry and the tension between them and having their story unfold between past experiences and present was just a gift. The setting was so scenic too! Just lovely. If you want a truly swoony good time, read Here for the Cake!

This book releases on May 2, 2024 and you can find it on Amazon, borrow it with a KU subscription or purchase it at Barnes and Noble. I really loved reading this one, if my review didn't make it that obvious already. I hope you will too. Thank you to Valentine PR and Jennifer Millikin for the advanced reader copy!

Rating: 5/5 Stars ★★★★★